It's important to note that current chief of the telecom regulator has started giving special thrust on long term policies. This is a major deviation from the earlier policy makers who steered a number of interim policies including the much debated spectrum allotment based on subscriber-base.
If implemented properly, the current consultation paper on spectrum can ensure operators that they are spending wisely. They can manage long term investments and choose the right technologies. The futuristic initiative can also be sabotaged if the government does not find enough spectrum, a part of which has to come from the Defense.
Though India need a 10-year spectrum management policy, TRAI is calculating the spectrum needs of operators in the next 5 years. According to TRAI, teledensity in Delhi will be 150 in the next five years. Hence, we need to assess the spectrum requirements now. The step the telecom regulator taking now is worth appreciating.
Around 50% of the Delhi population will use mobile for Internet access and non-voice services By 2014. To offer 3G and high speed data services, 100 MHz of spectrum for five operators is required till 2014 considering the international practices. To offer BWA services, 100 MHz of spectrum will be required for five operators till 2014.
TRAI's calculations are based on certain assumptions and may vary depending on future market conditions. One such assumption is that around 30% of the mobile subscribers have subscribed to GPRS services, as on June 2009. But we do not have the actual number of active GPRS users.
Though operators are yet to talk about LTE because they want to spend heavily on 3G and WiMax, TRAI is getting ready with its action. TRAI says India will have LTE operators by 2014. Besides, the next 1-2 years will see the launch of mobile TV and terrestrial digital TV. LTE operators prefer to use the 700MHz band, the targeted band for broadcasting. Hence, to offer both broadcasting and the LTE, 108 MHz of spectrum, available in this band may be required.
Based on rough estimates, India need 582 MHz of spectrum in various bands in next 5 years. My suggestion to stakeholders would be to avoid unending debate on spectrum. Also, the rare commodity should be made available tooperators urgently to run business profitably.
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Baburajan K
Executive Editor
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